Neutral In Net: Cristobal Huet Headed to Swiss League?

Reports from a number of media outlets on Monday morning are that Cristobal Huet is close to an agreement with a Swiss League team.

Huet is reportedly in discussions with Fribourg-Gotteron, but according to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune nothing has been formally agreed on yet.

Moving out of North America only means Huet won’t be looking for ways to spend $5.625M in Rockford. Huet clearly played zero role in the plans of Hawks management for 2010-11, and would have been in the AHL if Europe hadn’t returned his phone calls. However, it appears someone did, and he could be overseas.

More long term, this allows the Hawks the flexibility to develop another youngster in Rockford this year without being forced to give Huet a roster spot in the AHL. Considering Marty Turco, Corey Crawford and Hannu Toivonen are all free agents next summer, it’s crucial that the Hawks have time to see what they have before dealing with their talent on future contracts.